Chinese duo Wang Yanwei and Li Jie defeat their opponents from Palestine in the men's beach volleyball preliminaries of the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo on Sept 16. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

The beach volleyball event of the 19th Asian Games kicked off in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Sept 19.

The men's preliminary match, which started at 9 am at the Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Center in the city's Xiangshan county, was the first match of the Games. Chinese duo Wang Yanwei and Li Jie defeated their opponents from Palestine 2-0, claiming the first win for the Chinese team at this year's Games.

The beach volleyball event of the Asian Games will last nine days, during which 96 athletes from 17 countries and regions will compete for two gold medals. The gold medal matches for women and men will be held on Sept 27 and Sept 28, respectively.